Hanno Zingel and Jaak Tambets look back at the last revolutionary decade in Estonian nature protection. In May, the Estonian nature protection was officially united with the nature protection system of the European Union. After regaining independence, a main trend in nature protection has been the valuation of natural values as a whole. Heritage landscapes, mainly seminatural communities, have drawn a lot of attention. One of the major decisions of Estonian nature protection was the maintenance of protected areas created during Soviet times. By now, most of the protected areas belong to the Natura 2000 network, as do abundant other areas of natural values. The Natura 2000 has initiated vigorous discussions in many counties; however, due to the network, we now have a pretty good overview of natural values in Estonia.

Essay: Alive thing is the best thing by Ants Ilus

The green bridge over the gulf

Veikko Neuvonen, an editor of nature broadcasts in Finnish radio, takes a friendly glance at Estonian nature and nature protection. He is especially excited about the bird fauna, namely the sights that the migrating season brings to the Estonian west coast. His favourite place is Matsalu. Although Estonia is a land of everlasting pleasures for Finnish nature lovers, the author also encourages us, the Estonians, to go and experience the nature of Finland.

The roots of environmental problems are hidden in evolution

Peeter Hõrak knows the reasons why mankind has not yet thought of anything efficient to anticipate the coming ecological catastrophe. The author, an animal ecologist, looks at behavior of humans and draws parallels to the behavior of animals, which is very often does not seem to be very efficient. “The bigger the better” is applies in the world of humans as well as in that of animals. Conspicuous consumption has, for instance, been the reason for the fall of some Indian tribes.

Alder –the tree of the color alder

Mall Hiiemäe gives an overview of alder trees in folk tradition. The timber of alder has reminded our ancestors of blood. The reddish color has given names for many birds, but also fish and insects. For the Finno-Ugrians, alder tree was a holy tree, related to soul and blood.

Eesti Loodus enquires

Lilika Käis explains the limitations of bringing certain plant and animal species to Estonia.

Andres Sütt introduces the center of the Emajõe Suursoo protected area and the future plans.

Urban gulls as reflectors of our lifestyle

Margus Ellermaa discusses the reasons behind the urbanization of gulls, the birds that used to be inhabitants of natural landscapes. The urbanization began after the World War II and coincides with several changes related to the development of civilization. The main attraction for the gulls is food.

European rarities in Estonia: Ruff

Eve Mägi describes the Ruff – a bird, which we have considered as a common inhabitant of our flooded meadows and coastal meadows. However, in past decades it is unnoticeably disappearing from Estonia.

Essay: Mineral resources come to an end by Vahur Koorits

Interview: People should live in the country

Hannes Palang has interviewed Anne Buttimer, professor of Geography, professor emerita of the Dublin University College.

An islander on the biggest island of the world

Tarmo Pikner visited Greenland and found surprisingly many similarities with his home island Saaremaa. However, tourism has not yet taken over on Greenland, as it has on Saaremaa. The main impression of the island is the endless ice sheet, which is the Earth’s biggest fresh water reservoir.

The para nut is not a para phenomenon

Urmas Kokassaar writes about the para nut, or Brazil nut. As a matter of fact, it is not a nut at all, but a seed. The main ingredient of the nut is oil. Besides cuisine, the oil of the para nut is used in cosmetics. The seeds are also known for the high content of selenium.